Steering wheel



vMaly 2o 1924.

E. H. VINCENT STEERING WHEEL Original Filed Sept. '7

I N VN TOR.

Patented May 20, 1924.

EDWARD H. VINCENT. O'F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

STEERING WHEEL.

(lrig'inal application filed September 7, 1922, Serial No. 586,688. Divided and this application filed .Tune

To all whom 'it may cancelar:

Be it known that I, lilou/'ann H. VINCENT, a citizen ot the United States, and residing at Detroit, in the county olf 1Wayne and State ot Michigan, haveinvented a new and Ylmproved Steering Wheel, of `which the following is a speciiieation.

This invention relates to steering Wheels t'or automobiles, particularly to that type which embodies a hub portion adapted to be locked to and unlocked trom the steering shaft ot f the vehicle, and a rim and spider portion` pivoted on the hub portion, and its object is to provide a steering Wheel ot this character which shall be olf great strength. which shall be simple in construction, and wherein the horn actuating men'iber shall be n'iounted adjacent the upper end of a steering shait and the electric contacts op- `erated by the horn actuating member shall also be mounted adjacent the upper end oi" said shaft, removal oit the actuating member and electric contacts being controlled by a key operated lock. y Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a spider adapted to cover the Wheel head or hub portion, the spider having an opening through which the horn actuating member extends and is operable When the Wheel spider is in operative position on the Wheel head. The spider might also be oit the nontilting type and secured rigidly to the Wheel head.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the steering Wheel ernbodying this invention. Fig. 9. is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sec tion of the steering Wheel hub shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 32E is a section on the line a-n of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

The structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of my pending application Serial Number 586,688, filed September 7, 1922, and Figs. 3 and 3 are reproductions ot Figs. 3 and 3 of said application, and this present application is a division thereof.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

A bushing 1 at the upper end of the tubular steering post 2 constitutes a bearing for the steering shaft 3, an anti-friction lining 4 being provided it desired. On this steering shaft and secured thereto by a key 5 is a ser-iai no.' 644,706.

hard steel bushing 6 which is formed With a notch 7 toireceive the locking bolt 8. This locking bolt is normally held inward by means oit a spring 9 but may be Withdrawn by means oi. a key l0. The particular con struction used to connect the lock which is controlled by this key 10 to the bolt 8 is not shown, as it `tornis no part ot the present invention.

This bolt 8 and the lock which operates it are mounted in an arm 12 extending from the hard steel hub 13 of the steering Wheel head. This hub has a central cap portion 14 which extends over the nut 15 by means of which the bushing 6' is held in position on the shaft 3. Bearing balls 16 are positioned between recesses formed within the hub 13 and at the upper end of the bushing 6 and other bearing balls 17 are in recesses formed in the bushing 6 and in a hard steel nut 18 which screws up into the hub. This nut is normally prevented from turning by means of a pin 19 which extends into notches in this nut but which pin is permitted to move up and down by reason of the notch 2O in the locking bolt 8 when that locking bolt is in operative position. When, however, the locking bolt is Withdrawn so that` the wheel can spin freely on the bushing 6, then this notch is no longer over the pin 19 and the bolt therefore will prevent the nut 18 :trom being turned back to permit the re moval of the steering Wheel head from the bushing 6.

The arm 12carries a pin 22 ou which one of the arms 23 of the spider of the steering Wheel is mounted, the rim 24 connecting to the ends of the arms in the usual manner. The arm 23 is provided With sides 25 through Which the pin 22 extends and Which enclose the arm 12 on the hub except at that point Where the key 10 is introduced, at which point the one side 25 has a notch. These ydetails are not illustrated as they form no part ot the present invention.

The arm 26 which is opposite the arm 221 carries a locking pin 27 normally held inwardly b v a spring 28 to engage in the bushing 29 mounted in the hub This pin can be ivithdrawnby means of the button. so as to permit the Wheel rim and spider to be swung up to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Slidably mounted in the Aupper end oi. the sbai't 3 is a hard steel stem 37 which is nor- (ifi mally held upward by means of a spring 38 as shown in Figs.` 1 and 3. The construction of this device is more clearly shown in FigA 3, the stem being formed with a shoulder 39 to limit its upward movement. Tliis'stem 37 may rotate with or independentlyof the steering shaft 3. It is conceivable that a wedgecould be driven in between the stein 37 and the wall of the opening in the top 14 of the hub 13 and that thereby the steering shaft 3 might bev turned. By having this stem freelyrotatable, a wedge driven in betwee-n it and the edge of the opening would merely cause the stem to turn without turning the shaft. This spider is provided with a; central opening 31 vthrough which the up` per end" of the actuating member or stem 37 extends and the opening is of sufficient size to provide lproper clearance with respect to thestem whereby the spider may be tilted to operative or inoperative positions independent of the stem. It is evidenti that the stem might be constructed in two or more parts whereby the upper partr of the stem could be carried by the hub portion 14. Mounted in the lower end of the bushing G and normally held inward by the springv `40 isacontact pin 4Q which may have a ball' 43 mounted in itsinner end to contact with the tapering end 44 Aof the stein 37. The pin 42 is forced out when the stem 37 is depressed until this pin contacts with the contact ring 45 mounted `in a collar. 46 ofinsulating niaterial, this collar being loosely mounted on the steering shaft 3 and being prevented from turning therewith by the pin 47 carried by the flange 48 at the upper end of the steering` column, which pin extends between the lugs 49 onV this collar to keep it from turning. The removal' of the collar 46 and pin 42 from the shaft 3 is prevented by the hub 13 and bush- 6.' The conductor wire 50 may be attached to the contact ring 45 by means ot a screw 52 which extends into a boss 45a on this ring. The steering- `wheel is grounded and as one side of the battery isgrounded. depression of the stem 37 will cause the pin 452 to complete a circuit between the wire 50 andthe grounded steering mechanism. This wire 50 extends tothe horn of the vehicle. lt will therefore be noted that the steering ywheel is pivoted on a wheel head and can be swung up to give more clearance at the steering column,

The details and proportions. however. ot the various parts of this .rnistruction may all be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim 1; In a steering wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon, a wheel spider mounted on said head, electrical contacts. and means for operating" one of said contacts, said means extending through an opening in the head, the spider having an opening through which said means also extends.

2. In a steering wheel., a shaft, a wheel head mounted thereon, a wheel spider mov able to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having an opening and adapted to cover said wheel head, normally disengaged electrical means, and manually operable meansl adapted to extend into said spider opening for causing the engagement of said electrical means, the opening in said spider providing clearance with respect to said n'ianually operable means whereby said spider maybe moved to Imerative or inoperative. positions.

3. In a steering wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon, a wheel spider .mounted on said head, electrical contacts carried'by said sha-ft below said head, and means for operating one of said contacts, said means extend ing through an opening in the head.

4. In a steering wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon, a wheel spider mounted on said head, electrical contacts ca rricd by said shaft below said head, and means for operating one of said tamtacts` said means extending through an opening in the upper portion of said head.

5. In a steering wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon` a wheel spider mounted on said head and having a portion overlying the upper surface of said head, electrical contacts below said head. and means for operating one of said contacts, an opening in the upper Isurface. of said head and also in the portion of the spider overlying said head, said means extending through said openings in said head and wheel spider respectively.

G. In a steeringwheel, a wheel head hav ing a hub, a wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a portion which covers said hub when said spider is in operative position. an opening' in the spider portion which covers said hub, normally disengaged electrical contact means. and movable nieans extending through said spider opening when the lat ter is in operative position to cause the engagement of said electrical contact means. the opening` in said spider portion providing clearance for ,saidv movable means whereby said spider may be moved to operative or inoperative positions.

7. In a steering wheel, a shaft. a head n'iounted thereon. a wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head; and having a central portion oif'erlying the upper central surface of said head, electrical contacts below said head` and means for operating one of said contacts. an opening in the upper central surface of said head andalso in the central portion of the spider overlying said head, said means extending Slo llll

through said opening in said head and being operable througli said opening in said spider. j j j 8,. In a steering Wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon,a Wheel spider tiltable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a central portion overlying the upper central surface oi said head, elec-- trical contacts belovv saidhead, and means for one oli said contacts, a circular opening in the upper central surface of said head and an opening in the central portion oi the spider' overlying said head, said means extending through said circular opening in said head and being operable through said opening in said spider.

El. In a steering Wheel, a shalt, a head mounted thereon, a Wheel spider movable to operative or` inoperative positions on the head and having` a central portion overlying the` upper central surface ot said head, electrical contacts belovv said head, and means for operating one of said contacts, a circular opening in the upper central surface of said head and an opening in `the central portion of the spider overlying said head, said means extending through said circular opening in said head andbeing operablethrough said opening in said spider when said spider is in operative position on the head.

l0.` In a steering Wheel, a shatt,.a head mounted thereon, a Wheel. spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a portion overlying said head, electrical contacts, and means Jfor operating `one of said contacts, an opening in said head and also in the portion ot the spider overlying said head, said means eX- tending through said openings in said head and wheel spider respectively and project ing above the portion of the spider overlying said head, the opening in said` spider providing clearance with respect to said opw erating means so that said spider may be inoved to operative or inoperative positions.

ll. In a steering Wheel., a shatt, a head mounted thereon, a Wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a section extending beyond said head, electrical contacts, and means lor operating one oi said contacts, an opening in the head and also in the spider section ein tending beyond said head` said means enw tending through said openings in said head and Wheel spider respectively and projecting beyond said spider section, the opening in said spider section providing clearance with respect to said operating means so that said spider may be moved to operative or inop erative positions.

l2. In asteering Wheel, a shalt, a head mounted thereon, a Wheel spider tiltahle to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a section overlying said head, electrical contacts, and means for opclearance `with i respect to said operating means so that said spider maybe tilted to operative or inoperative positions.

lil. In. a steering wheel, a slinfln a wheel hub removably mounted on the upper end thereol, electric contacts adjacent the upper end of saidshalit and held against removal theretrom by said Wheel hub, and locking means to prevent `removal ot said wheel hub trein sai d shaft.

lll. in a steering Wheel, a rotatable shalt, i

a wheel hul) removably mounted on the up per end thereof, ele tric contacts, means to operate said contat j said contacts and said operating mea-ns mounted adjacent the upper end oli said shaft and held against removal. therefrom by said wheel hub, and locking means to allow or prevent removal oli said wheel hub from said sharlit.

l5. In a steering` wheel, a rotatable shalt, a luishing ren'iovably mounted on the upper end thereof, a nnt coiinected to said shaft to prevent removal ot the bushing trom said shallt, a wheel hub mounted on said bushing and pre'rentingremoval ot said nut and said bushing from the shaftt, electric contacts and means to operatesaid contacts mounted adjacent the upper end oilr said shaft, said oi'ierating means held against removal by said nut` said contacts held against removal by said hub and said bushing, and means to control the removal ot said hub from said bnshin i6. n a. steering Wheel, a shaft, a Wheel head mounted thereon and having a hub, a wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a portion adapted to cover said hub, an opening in the spider portion which covers said hub, electrical contacts, and movable means extending from said hub and through said spider opening to operate said contacts. the opening in said spider portion providingI clearance with respect to said operating' means whereby said Wheel spider may be moved to operative or inoperative positions.

17. In a steering` Wheel, a shaft, a Wheel head nlounted thereon and having a hub, a Wheel spider tiltable to operative or in,- operative positions on the head and having a hollenT chamber adapted to cover said hub, an opening in a portion ol the chamber which covers said hub, electrical contacts. and a movable member projecting Jfrom said hub and through said spider opening to operatek one of said contacts, the opening in said spider chamber providing clearance with respect to said operating member whereby said Wheelv spider may be tilted to operative or inoperative positions.

' 18. ln a steering Wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon, a Wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a portion adapted to cover said head, an opening in said .spider portion, a stationary contact,va slidable contact adapted to be moved to engage said stationary Contact, and an operating` member for said slidable Contact projecting from said head and adapted to extend through said spider opening and beyond the Spider portion which covers said hea-d, the opening` in said spider portion providing clearance with respect to said operating inei'nber whereby said Wheel spider may be moved to operative or inoperative positions.

19. ln a steering Wheel. a shaft, ahead mounted thereon, a Wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a surface adapted to cover said head, an opening in said spider surface, electrical contacts, and operating means for said contacts projecting,r from said head andfbeing operable through said spider opening when said spider is in operative or partial inoperative positions on the head, the operation ,of said means being independent oi' said spider opening when said spider is moved to its full inoperative position. p

Q0. In a steering Wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon, a wheel spider movable to operative or inoperative positions on the head and having a. portion covering said head when the wheel spider is in operative position, an openin,r in said spider portion, normally disengaged electrical Contact means, and operating` n'ieans tor said electrieal Contact means and being operable throne-h said spider opening when said spider is in operative position on the head, the operation ot' said (meratinpr inea-ns being independent o'l1 but impossible through said spider openingwhen said spider is moved to its full inoperative position on the head..

2i. ln a steeringl wheel, a shaft, a head mounted thereon, a wheel spider su'ingable to operative or inoiberative positions on the head and havingr a portion adapted to cover said head, an 0],)ening' in said spider portion, normally disengaged electrical contact means, and operating4 means for causing the engagement oi' said electrical Contact nieans and being' movable through said spider opening` when said spider is in operative position on the head, the movenient of saidr operating),r means being independent ot but impossible through said spider opening when said spider is swung to its full inoperative position on the head, the openiiw in said spider portion also serving to providev clearance for said operating means whereby said spider may be swung lto (perative or inoperative positions on the EDVARD H. VINCENT. 

